Lingayats/Veerashaivas are said to form about 17 per cent of the population, wielding a decisive clout in about 100 constituencies, particularly in north Karnataka
The central government's reaction came a day after the Congress government in Karnataka decided to recommend that religious minority tag be granted to the numerically strong and politically-influential Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community.
The Karnataka govt will now seek Centre's approval before it ratifies an official notification to this effect at its next meeting, possibly next week.
The BJP, whose Chief Ministerial face B.S. Yeddyurappa is a Lingayat, sees the Congress move as an attempt to divide the Hindu votes.
The state cabinet led by Siddaramaiah took the decision after the Nagamohan Das committee submitted its report recommending the grant of religious minority status to the sect.
Bangalore: Lingayats, Vokkalikga heartland, Old Mysore, Hyderabad-Karnataka, Mumbai-Karnataka: These terms crop up frequently in the media as voters in Karnataka queue up to cast their votes Sunday to elect the state's 14th assembly.To explain some
Top News
Latest News
